Post your wacky lens ads, auctions, sales! [Archive]

Two23

24-May-2012, 17:52

"It is in fine condition." No mention of the missing hardware.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Beautiful-Antique-1888-Prosch-Mfg-Company-Duplex-Brass-Lens-With-Rear-Mounting?item=170844970878&cmd=ViewItem&_trksid=p5197.m7&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D4%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D8653473836895301365

It's a Petzval, and it's an aplanat! Two lenses in one! You'd think someone selling a lens for $1,600 would know what the hell it was.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kranz-Petzval-Lens-Aplanat-VI-40cm-/280854516936?pt=US_Vintage_Cameras&hash=item41643bd4c8

Kent in SD

Dan Fromm

24-May-2012, 18:24

From the same seller as Kent's Petzval-Aplanat:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/H-Russel-Taylor-4-5-105mm-243726-/251069025475?pt=US_Vintage_Cameras&hash=item3a74e14cc3 Roussel Trylor. Of course there are no separations, its a triplet.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kodak-Aero-Ektar-2-5-7inch-EE15127-/280884988101?pt=US_Vintage_Cameras&hash=item41660cc8c5 Good price, if he can get it.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Zeiss-S-Orthoplanar-5-6-105mm-5595191-Mint-/280884101727?pt=US_Vintage_Cameras&hash=item4165ff425f Uncommon focal length, not sure it should be worth more than an Apo El Nikkor

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Zeiss-Mikrotar-4-5-4-5cm-198111-/261024579098?pt=US_Vintage_Cameras&hash=item3cc646fe1a Well, now we know where some of the fabled Barringer collection has gone. I sold this lens to Charlie.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Zeiss-Tessar-4-5-12cm-18299-/280875860671?pt=US_Vintage_Cameras&hash=item41658182bf And I gave him this one.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Berthiot-Furygraphe-6-100mm-1105037-/260973350597?pt=US_Vintage_Cameras&hash=item3cc3394ec5 An angry lens, indeed. Eurygraphe.

goamules

25-May-2012, 05:39

...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Berthiot-Furygraphe-6-100mm-1105037-/260973350597?pt=US_Vintage_Cameras&hash=item3cc3394ec5 An angry lens, indeed. Eurygraphe.

A Furygraph, I love it!

Louis Pacilla

25-May-2012, 12:24

There are oh so many NUTTY sellers along with their CRAZY listings splattered all over the BAY. May I present to you just three. Here and now.

Sorry Brother Garrett. I had to put this tripod up as I just ran across the listing and just wonder at times, WTF???? The WAY over priced home made Clown Camera has been killing me for years now. Anyhow ......

First off the RARE TRIPOD. I mean seriously. Rare? $250.00 starting bid? HOW (did they come to this),WHY (the$250 starting bid) , when( did they deiced to let go of this family treasure),WHO (told them this was rare and worth over $250)? And again WTF?

Here's one that has bugged me for years. The "HOME MADE (has No true collector value)CLOWN CAMERA" This GEM has has not sold and has been listed almost as long as I've been using eBay. Maybe 13 years now.
The best thing is he has only inched the price up year after year????? As I recall he did not sale it years ago for $350. so now it's almost peaked $700. CRAZY MAN.

OK Just to keep in the true spirit of over priced optics this is a little example. In IMHO this little BECK 8" rapid rectilinear lens. This is a mass produced stock rapid rectilinear lens for value priced camera kit's in England. It's a fine little lens but has a value of about a $75-$100 on the VERY BEST of days.

ic-racer

25-May-2012, 13:24

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v670/ic-racer/2012/lens.jpg

goamules

31-May-2012, 14:36

Has anyone else noticed that sellers are always trying to get super high prices on Scovill Waterbury cameras and lenses? I think each seller researches the one or two that are posted, perpetually, at high hundreds or low thousands and figure "that must be the going rate!" Here is a common Waterbury plate camera (and I believe that was the cheapest in their line), in the common and imminently unusable 5x8 size. Complete with bare-bones Waterbury landscape meniscus ("I've seen just the lens for this much!").

74480

Here are some more (which probably helped decide the BIN price on the above. Maybe if I say "Dallmeyer" and "Waterbury" in the same post, there will be a juju transfer and Waterburys will be the next Dallmeyer! Waterbury....Dallmeyer....Waterbury.... Too bad I don't have any RARE Waterburys right now.

74482

Michael E

5-Jun-2012, 08:03

E. von Hoegh

5-Jun-2012, 08:06

http://www.ebay.com/itm/8X10-STRETCH-PHOTO-LENS-ZEISS-DEARDORFF-SCHNEIDER-SCHOTT-DAGOR-GOERZ-KODAK-EKTAR-/130705906780?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item1e6eaddc5c

Sevo

5-Jun-2012, 08:30

ebay Germany # 300716303852

The guy wants to sell a 1911 Linhof with a starting bid of 800,000 EUR. Not too much for a camera that comes with lenses like these: Tessar 1 : 4,5 / R 16,50 m (16500mm, really?) and Orthar 1 : 6,8 / f = 8,60 m (8600mm?)

Well, mistaken about the meaning of "." and "," in German numbers and hence a thousand times higher than intended, obviously - he also wants to sell a unrestored and not driving 1934 Praga Piccolo (a pre war small car) for 1.2 million.

Brian Ellis

5-Jun-2012, 10:22

What difference does it make what someone else asks for anything or how anything is described if you don't plan to buy it? So someone calls a lens "rare" when it isn't. So what?

Louis Pacilla

5-Jun-2012, 10:25

How do they come up with these prices??????? I mean Yea this is a great little quick working Portrait lens w/ a built in iris but at nearly 2 grand for a non collectible fairly newish Petzval lens? Think about it. I don't think I have EVER seen a Dallmeyer 2B f3 get 2 grand and that's one in great condition and complete. So again............. HOW DO THEY COME UP WITH THESE PRICES. Simply crazy!

This would be a decent deal at around $400-600. I believe the $600 is at the high end.

Louis Pacilla

5-Jun-2012, 10:32

What difference does it make what someone else asks for anything or how anything is described if you don't plan to buy it? So someone calls a lens "rare" when it isn't. So what?

It doesn't Brain. It make no difference at all.

For me the reason I've posted a couple of times is because I think it's amusing.

Richard Rankin

9-Jun-2012, 16:23

I liked this one :

RARE 1850's LARGE FORMAT CAMERA PETZVAL BRASS BODY LENS COLLODION WET PLATE, Item 170854090930

He is selling a petzval but goes on to state: "The rear element was cracked but a nearly exact replacement was found and installed." No doubt by his local Paris-trained optician?

Good luck with that one.

Louis Pacilla

10-Jun-2012, 10:27

I'm not much of a small format shooter but saw this BIN on eBay. What a deal! what an awesome kit!

Take a look! No need thank me for the lead. Really. I sure hope your lucky person who hits the BIN button.:eek:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-2-Camera-3-Lens-Bundle-/190689648509?pt=US_Vintage_Cameras&hash=item2c65fd1f7d

Now come on. This shit is pretty funny Brian. You know it is:)

Oh Yea! Less than three days left so you better strike soon.

leighmarrin

21-Jun-2012, 01:00

Here's a recent listing from the local CraigsList, that I actually ended up buying. The seller turned out to be a genuinely nice guy who knew nothing about old cameras, and quickly revised his ad from $2400 to $475. I was the first caller, and he kindly waited a day and a half to meet me, and put later callers on hold. The camera turned out to be a 4x5 Gundlach view, missing the extension, with a 7" Goerz Dagor (series III, no. 2) that was very hazy-looking. The shutter is a Ilex Universal, that appears fairly close to the marked settings on the first click. (But repetitive shutter releases soon become wildly inaccurate, the opposite of other wheezy shutters I own.) Bellows are slightly dry, but light-tight.

As the glass appeared to have fungus, I offered him $200, and we settled on $225. And he kindly took a personal check. When I got it home, I was happy to find the glass cleaned up well, although the front cell is frozen in the shutter. The lensboard is 4", and should work with my Graflex "C" boards.

I'm trying to convince myself I really saved almost $2200! ;-)

http://img801.imageshack.us/img801/2930/craigslistadv.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/801/craigslistadv.jpg/)

ic-racer

21-Jun-2012, 08:31

What difference does it make what someone else asks for anything or how anything is described if you don't plan to buy it? So someone calls a lens "rare" when it isn't. So what?

It is funny and entertaining. That is what this thread is about.

Louis Pacilla

22-Jun-2012, 18:00

OK I mean how did they arrive at this price? I mean WTF!

Really is pretty damn funny.

Ari

23-Jun-2012, 06:16

Two23

23-Jun-2012, 07:53

I'm posting this as a curiosity; I don't know what is its intended use.
Still, it seems outrageously priced, so I'll add it here.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Carl-Zeiss-Topogon-11-60mm-high-resolution-lens-in-8-x-10-cm-camera-Zeiss-SMK-/271001942696?pt=Film_Cameras&hash=item3f18f97aa8#ht_500wt_1204

Apparently, the Topogons really do sell for that much. They are a very early ultrawide, one of the first, from what I've read.

Kent in SD

Dan Fromm

23-Jun-2012, 08:51

Kent, Topogon is a trade name as well as a design. The B&L Metrogon is a Topogon clone. The one Ari directed to us isn't a Metrogon, it is something else again. And the seller traditionally asks very high prices for his lenses, doesn't get them often.

Two23

4-Jul-2012, 10:32

A "waste level finder," for taking photos in a sewer! :D

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rolleiflex-SL-2000-Total-Package-/150849763884?pt=Film_Cameras&hash=item231f58ba2c

Kent in SD

Steven Tribe

8-Jul-2012, 03:08

This a slighty more subtle crazy line from a German seller of an 18x24cm reisekamera who rather messes up his professional layout by saying that the Heliar 18cm is from 1880 - which predates the Taylor patent by quite a few years.

"EMAIL correspondence is possible in GERMAN, ENGLISH, SPANISH and, if you write slowly ;-), also in FRENCH. " !!

TAG

11-Jul-2012, 19:50

This looks really practical....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kodak-Type-I-Telephoto-912mm-36-f-8-Large-Format-Lens-for-Cambo-Calumet-8x10-/150851824136?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item231f782a08

goamules

13-Jul-2012, 12:33

goamules

15-Jul-2012, 09:01

The above fake Chevalier went for $389 with 15 bidders! Some buyer is going to be very unhappy when they discover they bought a cheap 1870s 4x5 Rapid Rectilinear worth about $30.

desertrat

15-Jul-2012, 18:31

A Wolly series III f9.5 6-1/4" Velostigmat (uncoated) just sold for $406 with 10 bids. To add insult to injury, it's in a later Alphax synchromatic shutter with no aperture scale, and something strange is sticking out of the cable release socket. Item number 320942552788. I bought one last year for a little over 1/4 that amount and all I had to do was clean a lot of haze off the elements. Some kind of old lens insanity is spreading. I can understand big bucks for huge brass 11X14 portrait lenses, but I never thought the little wide angle Wolly would achieve cult status.

Lachlan 717

15-Jul-2012, 20:12

This one's great! Selling "exposed" film. The Seller goes in to some detail about how the envelopes have tears and pin-holes, and explains that the film will be fogged. And then has the temerity to ask $79.99 for it!!

What a goose.

77262

Emmanuel BIGLER

16-Jul-2012, 02:46

In communist countries, all prices were (and still are) state-regulated.

Hence, in a free contry, all prices should be un-regulated.

for example:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&_trksid=p4340.l2557&hash=item519779368e&item=350433654414&nma=true&pt=Film_Cameras&rt=nc&si=eQCtNhIsY9YQ4Y7emslP5VFSx58%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

the same in focal length of 100 mm instead of 64 mm, price drop by a factor 7.5:
http://cgi.ebay.fr/Carl-Zeiss-Lamegon-8-100-Biogon-in-5x7-body-SWC-/271001329384

Interesting to see in action the good old trick consisting in adding a prestigious keyword to help making more visible your sale of a less prestigious item.
The funny thing here is that the vendor of the 100mm Lamegon claims that his lens is better than the Biogon ;)

Would you serioulsy advertise for a precious lens, by adding to your "for sale" listing the name of a lens of lesser performance? ;; -)

Sevo

16-Jul-2012, 04:51

The funny thing here is that the vendor of the 100mm Lamegon claims that his lens is better than the Biogon ;)

He may be right. The Lamegon was a extra low distortion GDR Jena Biogon derivate for photogrammetry purposes, and originally may have had much higher production cost than photographic Biogons.

Mark Sawyer

16-Jul-2012, 10:34

Just for fun, compare the "Pinkham" now on ebay: 200793158882

with the Wollensak now on ebay: 120947619430

desertrat

16-Jul-2012, 18:05

Mark Sawyer

16-Jul-2012, 20:50

Lemme guess, it's an 'early' Pinkham, you know, semi-experimental. Pinkham and Smith bought the barrel from Wollensak for this prototype because they were still building up their own capability to make lens barrels, or something like that. How does the lettering look on the ring next to the aperture scale and the front cell retaining ring? Does it look a little fresher?

The barrel was polished at some point, so it's hard to date the engraving by wear. The engraving on the front ring looks exactly like standard Wollensak, (I have the same lens engraved "Columbia Portrait Lens" with the same style markings). The engraving identifying it as a P&S doesn't look like Wollensak engraving to me.

Perhaps Wollensak contracted a few for P&S (they put out that particular model lens under many names), and P&S modified them.

Perhaps P&S just bought it used and modified and engraved it. There were unconfirmed rumors they did this early on.

Perhaps someone wanted to increase the value of the lens 5-10 fold and had it re-engraved.

No way of telling, and unless you know the history of that lens, you'll never know for sure. But I've never seen a P&S lens like that before, and there isn't much doubt what it started its life as...

Steven Tribe

17-Jul-2012, 02:05

"Perhaps someone wanted to increase the value of the lens 5-10 fold and had it re-engraved."

- and then repolished it?

This would be a simple thing to do, I'm afraid!

goamules

17-Jul-2012, 08:53

Mark, there was another lens like this a few years ago. I think it was commented on on this forum, but we may not have captured pictures at the time. I recall it was another Wollensak engraved with Pinkham & Smith, and looked like a regular Petzval. Another possibility is P&S were re-sellers of regular, non-soft lenses, and did not modify them. Just like a dozen or more photographic supply houses did for these Wollensaks and Bausch & Lombs.

Mark Sawyer

17-Jul-2012, 10:07

So many possibilities...

Steven Tribe

18-Jul-2012, 12:50

Some people just never learn!
Tyndells Camera Emporium has been around for a long time and always has random pricing and little information. His current listing (120952824772) is even more impressive than usual.
quote (my bold).

"L.W. Kianz Braunschweig, Germany. No sign of separation or fungus. lens clean and clear. lens measures 2 3/8" length outside diameter of the hood is 2 1/8".

outside diameter of treads are 1 9/16". slot for stops. I know nothing more about this lens. due to the material I guessss this lens to be late 1800's to early 1800's "

I suppose it is only human not to realise this is a Kranz lens. And perhaps he missed the wonderful out-of-focus photo he supplied.

But to put a price of $1,600 on an item he doesn't know what is, is more than just human error.

eddie

18-Jul-2012, 13:09

Just for fun, compare the "Pinkham" now on ebay: 200793158882

do a search here on this forum and you will see another one of these lenses.

i had one in my hands a few years back. the seller kept trying to tell me it was a "P&S" etc etc. yes, it may be a P&S but itis NOT a desirable one....just an everyday run of the mill petzval lens. not what we all consider the SF version......

Uri A

18-Jul-2012, 13:54

Lachlan 717

18-Jul-2012, 15:57

My favorite :)

Maybe you need to rinse it, then fix it, then stop bath it, then develop it, and then finally take the shot to make the film work?

desertrat

29-Jul-2012, 15:28

This seller has quite an imagination:

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Vintage-Large-Format-Bellows-Portrait-Camera-W-Wollensak-Velostigmat-Lens-/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/$T2eC16h,!zEE9s3!Z))RBQEw1)J-4Q~~60_12.JPG

"Vintage Large Format Bellows Portrait Camera W/ Wollensak Velostigmat Lens" :D

Only $100? A bargain at twice the price! :rolleyes:

Item number 120958339317

Will Whitaker

31-Jul-2012, 19:23

Check out the finder. So much for buyer confidence!

78088

Louis Pacilla

31-Jul-2012, 20:43

Check out the finder. So much for buyer confidence!

78088

Yea Will, but at least the seller did not start the auction at $10.000.

Something like this. Simply CRAZY.:p

Here it is . To add insult to injury it doesn't have a flange. Shipping is equally silly high seeing how I live one state away at $36.95 :eek:

Jody_S

31-Jul-2012, 21:22

$2000 for a 9-1/2 Dagor? I'll sell you mine for HALF that amount.... FREE SHIPPING!!!!!!!!!11

Dan Fromm

4-Aug-2012, 07:36

Schneider Xenar 15cm 150mm f/3.5 4x5 camera lens. Poor mans Xenotar

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Schneider-Xenar-15cm-150mm-f-3-5-4x5-camera-lens-Poor-mans-Xenotar-/180944405667?pt=Film_Cameras&hash=item2a212084a3

E. von Hoegh

4-Aug-2012, 07:40

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Schneider-Xenar-15cm-150mm-f-3-5-4x5-camera-lens-Poor-mans-Xenotar-/180944405667?pt=Film_Cameras&hash=item2a212084a3

For 'poor' they mean 'ignorant'.

Dan Fromm

4-Aug-2012, 07:40

FINE ARTS / PROCESS LENS
42" F14 APOCHROMAT RED DOT ARTAR by C.P. GOERZ #780221
I BELIEVE LENS IS CONFIGURED FOR SHORT DISTANCE - GRAPHIC ARTS
& I DON'T THINK IT FOCUSES @ INFINITY
I THINK THE FOCUS CAN BE CONFIGURED BECAUSE LENS DOES COVER 20X24

http://www.ebay.com/itm/APOCHROMAT-RED-DOT-ARTAR-42inch-F14-FINE-ARTS-PROCESS-LENS-by-C-P-GOERZ-/300754627323?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item46065f6afb

Its August. The silly season is upon us.

E. von Hoegh

4-Aug-2012, 07:44

Louis Pacilla

4-Aug-2012, 07:48

http://www.ebay.com/itm/APOCHROMAT-RED-DOT-ARTAR-42inch-F14-FINE-ARTS-PROCESS-LENS-by-C-P-GOERZ-/300754627323?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item46065f6afb

Its August. The silly season is upon us.

At least they did not start the auction at $!0.000.

Full moon, too.

Yep. was up until 5am last night/this morning. Full of energy and just couldn't fall asleep. Bummer.:(

goamules

4-Aug-2012, 08:37

Here's one that I'm sure everyone knows. Talk about keyword spamming, this seller usually has numerous "auctions" that aren't auctions at all. He's using Ebay for advertising and driving sales to his other stuff. And to get novice sellers to call him so he can get new inventory. They're farce auctions, but he'll used every big name in the books. I'm not sure if it's even allowd, but of course, Ebay does nothing because he's a big seller. I wonder if auto dealerships do this on Ebay too?

Dan Fromm

8-Aug-2012, 07:33

Two beauties from the same seller:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Prinz-Copal-No-1-Sironar-N-1-4-5-150mm-Lens-for-LARGE-FORMAT-CAMERA-/300755859373?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item46067237ad

Prinz = Yamasaki, not Rodenstock. f/4.5 tessar type <> Sironar. Unless, that is, I'm badly mistaken.

And it gets worse: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Linhof-Synchro-Compur-Voigtlander-Braunschweig-Helomar-1-3-5-10-5cm-LARGE-FORMAT-/300755863621?pt=Camera_Lenses&hash=item4606724845

The lens' maximum aperture is f/3.5, the shutter's largest engraved stop is f/4.5. The Helomar is a triplet, was used on, among others, 6x9 Bessa folders. No way will a 10.5 cm/3.5 triplet cover 4x5.

I have in front of me a 10.5 cm/3.5 Helomar s/n 2146913 in Compur Rapid #0 s/n 5317467; per P-H Pont's chronologies, the lens is from 1937-8, the shutter from 1938. The lens on offer is s/n 2180728, per Pont also '37-8.

Now we know how to transform any old lens into a Linhof presumably select one. Put it in a shutter engraved Linhof. I had no idea it was as simple as that.

Louis Pacilla

8-Aug-2012, 07:57

Browsing CL & I ran into this in my home town and what a deal!

Simply crazy.:p

BTW- I know this not a" lens only" sale but it's just so EXTREME I thought it worth a chuckle.

Two23

15-Aug-2012, 19:06

Dan Fromm

15-Aug-2012, 20:13

OK, I got another one. For 300 bucks, how could you go wrong?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Voigtlander-Sohn-in-Wien-und-Braunschweig-No-17181-brass-petzval-lens-parts-/120968317930?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c2a460bea

Kent in SD

If we had ham, we could have ham and eggs, if we had eggs.

Proteus617

16-Aug-2012, 05:10

OK, I got another one. For 300 bucks, how could you go wrong?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Voigtlander-Sohn-in-Wien-und-Braunschweig-No-17181-brass-petzval-lens-parts-/120968317930?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c2a460bea

Kent in SD

Wish that was $50 instead of $300. I would buy that in a hot minute. You could epoxy a glass beaker inside and drink you coffee from classic Voigtlander glass every morning.

goamules

16-Aug-2012, 08:31

Air Lens! Woooh! Air Lens!

E. von Hoegh

16-Aug-2012, 08:42

OK, I got another one. For 300 bucks, how could you go wrong?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Voigtlander-Sohn-in-Wien-und-Braunschweig-No-17181-brass-petzval-lens-parts-/120968317930?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c2a460bea

Kent in SD

You would go 100 times as wrong as you would for 3 bucks. Which is about what that piece of crap is worth.

E. von Hoegh

16-Aug-2012, 08:43

Air Lens! Woooh! Air Lens!

An early attempt to reduce flare.

E. von Hoegh

16-Aug-2012, 08:46

Guys, this might actually be salvageable...http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kodak-Portrait-Lens-405mm-16-f-4-5-Lens-RC194-for-parts-/360480391299?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item53ee4e4083 I think there's already glass in the bbl.

Same seller as the Voigtlaender paperweight.

goamules

16-Aug-2012, 10:38

It's not really a "wacky" ad, just a mistaken seller. Just because a brass lens says Chevalier doesn't mean it's THE Chevalier from the 1840s. The listed lens was made in the 1870s by a manufacturer that just used that name to help their sales. No relation to the early lensmaker, and very low budget. 350579153082

77119

Ah...we meet again Monsieur Fake Chevalier. 130748008517 Same seller, only says "the original buyer didn't follow through" (yeah, I can imagine why). But still says it's an 1830s Daguerreotype lens. It's not.

goamules

19-Sep-2012, 17:08

This seller is always good for a laugh. Just about everything he sells is misrepresented and super high priced. How about a Speed Graphic for a Grand? "Museum piece with Nice glass" but has haze?!

80786

Jim C.

19-Sep-2012, 18:56

Isn't that the seller that bought the entire stock of electric shutters from Surplus Shed awhile back ?

Louis Pacilla

20-Sep-2012, 13:56

Just in case your looking for a Packard shutter. What a deal!

jumanji

20-Sep-2012, 17:33

Just in case your looking for a Packard shutter. What a deal!

Next week, there will be a thread in FS/WTB forum: "WTB one leaf of Packard shutter" :D.

goamules

21-Nov-2012, 11:46

"Absolutely the nicest magic lantern we've ever seen..."

...But we've only seen one of them.

84082

manet

24-Nov-2012, 13:28

"Absolutely the nicest magic lantern we've ever seen..."

Nope, only mine is nicest of the world ! :p

84190

BTW, it's a magic lantern La Bonne Presse

Geoffrey_5995

18-Feb-2013, 21:17

Garrett, I read the serial number incorrectly or the chart incorrectly so lens is from 1880's. My eyes are failing me. Geoff

Geoffrey_5995

18-Feb-2013, 21:19

Listing has been updated.

goamules

19-Feb-2013, 06:29

Thanks for updating that. That will help in the future if people reference the lens in their research.

Geoffrey_5995

19-Feb-2013, 16:06

Thanks for updating that. That will help in the future if people reference the lens in their research.

Garrett, The thing is I should have caught this because this is information I know and have many, many A. Ross lenses but with so much on my plate, I often forget what I remember. Thanks for catching it. I do try hard to be detail oriented and accurate but do make mistakes from time to time. Geoff

Mark Sawyer

24-Feb-2013, 17:54

Well, some poor sucker just spent $637 on a projection "Petzval" that's really a triplet, (I have one just like it). I informed the seller several days before the auction ended, but he didn't reply or make any notice in the listing...

390544815788

goamules

24-Feb-2013, 18:37

Shame. Well maybe he'll get it back when the buyer realizes it's "not as described."

Geoffrey_5995

24-Feb-2013, 19:32

Shame. Well maybe he'll get it back when the buyer realizes it's "not as described."

That was quick, looks like it was just re-listed:281070064507

Jim Fitzgerald

24-Feb-2013, 19:50

Wow, I've got a 22" that I'd love to get that much for!!

Brassai

11-Mar-2013, 05:49

Another classic. Here's a guy that keeps insisting his piece of a c.1900 Magic Lantern with a red bellows and projection Petzval might be a Daguerrotype camera! From that hotbed of Daguerrotype manufacturing Chicago no less! He seems to understand that $1,000 might be out of the question, but is holding out for $500. Fortunately this seems to be more of a case of self delusion than outright scamming. I say he's not a scammer because he got it half right--it is a portion of a Magic Lantern. (He's just 50 years off on the vintage.) Quick--someone email him and tell him this really is a Petzval made by an obscure religious sect that fled to Chicago in 1827 and set up shop to make Petzval lenses. It's worth tens of thousands! Maybe then he'll update his info. :D

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=321086492033&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:US:1123

I am a little consfused though. Does he mean this is a nearly complete Daguerrotype camera, red bellows and all, or does he think it's a Daguerrotype projector? If the former, that's even funnier!

goamules

18-Mar-2013, 11:42

271174274884 Only $1,000 for a Kodak folder.

DavyG

18-Mar-2013, 12:08

I sometimes wonder if there's ever anyone who actually buy these ridiculously priced items?

gandolfi

18-Mar-2013, 14:19

500.000€ for a Linhof......

http://www.ebay.com/itm/300873224331?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

bobwysiwyg

18-Mar-2013, 14:23

OMG! Better jump on that only 17 hrs left. :)

gandolfi

23-Mar-2013, 16:38

Sorry - NOT large format... but I can't resist...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/300879924126?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_sacat%3D0%26_nkw%3D300879924126%26_rdc%3D1

Louis Pacilla

23-Mar-2013, 20:31

Sorry - NOT large format... but I can't resist...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/300879924126?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_from%3DR40%26_sacat%3D0%26_nkw%3D300879924126%26_rdc%3D1

That's pretty funny my friend.:)

Len Middleton

24-Mar-2013, 05:48

That's pretty funny my friend.:)

Maybe not if they have to pay Final Value Fees on it...

goamules

13-Apr-2013, 16:10

If those Dallmeyer lenses are so expensive, how about a set of Dallmeyer waterhouse stops for $399? Same seller that often has items priced in the hundreds of thousands. 271159254197

Sevo

14-Apr-2013, 04:04

Same seller that often has items priced in the hundreds of thousands.

Overpriced, but not quite as interstellar as it might sound - the five digit "items" he has around are extensive kits kits of still desirable 35mm cine primes. He is obviously after the rich, but ignorant collector (or a motion picture producer in desperate need for some production related expenses) - professionals that buy these lenses at these prices will do so from an authorized dealer with full service and warranty. Visibly used ones without warranty would go for much less at reputable sources.

Jac@stafford.net

14-Apr-2013, 06:12

Overpriced, but not quite as interstellar as it might sound - the five digit "items" he has around are extensive kits kits of still desirable 35mm cine primes. He is obviously after the rich, but ignorant collector (or a motion picture producer in desperate need for some production related expenses) - professionals that buy these lenses at these prices will do so from an authorized dealer with full service and warranty. Visibly used ones without warranty would go for much less at reputable sources.

We have a professional cine photographer here who can clarify this: Producers generally do not purchase their own lenses and cameras. They rent. It is far too expensive to maintain the gear. True? False?

Dan Fromm

14-Apr-2013, 07:03

jac, yes. Some do, others don't. And it depends on the equipment. When the Arri 535 was introduced, its price was $250k. As far as I know, only rental houses bought them.

goamules

14-Apr-2013, 08:24

That's all interesting about the cine market, but if you watch this seller he hypes everything, overprices everything, and from someone who dealt with him once, fit's the the title of this thread to a T. He can flip like a lightswitch and becomes a ranting, spitting banshee if you question anything in any of his ads as being suspect. He's the one that was selling some Cooke projection lenses from the inside of a Xerox machine as "Cooke Portrait lenses", and many more classics.

Sevo

14-Apr-2013, 08:29

We have a professional cine photographer here who can clarify this: Producers generally do not purchase their own lenses and cameras. They rent. It is far too expensive to maintain the gear. True? False?

True. Except for the odd few exceptions - which might not even exist in the US. German films are usually produced by some subsidiary or contractor of a TV station (some big enough that a rental company is part of their conglomerate). Even "independent" productions are funded to a considerable proportion through public grants or public TV money, which often may not be carried over into the next fiscal year. When productions run into delays that put them at risk there, it is not that uncommon to spend any possible part of that funding up-front - buying cameras and props (for resale after the film has been shot) rather than renting them is one of the better strategies for that. Also, small productions have to buy gear whenever it is too uncommon for the rental companies (at least in Germany where less than half a dozen companies monopolize the trade).

Mark Sawyer

14-Apr-2013, 10:38

He's the one that was selling some Cooke projection lenses from the inside of a Xerox machine as "Cooke Portrait lenses", and many more classics.

Calkovsky? First interchange I had with him he was selling a pair of those Rank Taylor Hobson photocopy lenses as "vintage brass stereo lenses by Cooke." I sent him a quick, polite note saying he was in error, and oh, the words in his reply!

Dan Fromm

14-Apr-2013, 10:58

http://www.northbaybusinessjournal.com/12989/laid-off-from-job-mechanic-turns-to-ebay/ -- his feedback indicates considerably lower sales

http://www.toeppen.com/avoid.html

http://www.yelp.com/user_details?userid=SA0F1qRq-vVhtZLIYFIfTg -- one has to wonder

Steven Tribe

14-Apr-2013, 11:31

"GREAT customer service, kind, compassionate, caring, and enthusiastic."

More like "Ignorant, abusive, deceitful, thinks only of profit maximisation".

I can't comment about "great customer service" as I have not purchased anything from him. And never will.

Dan Fromm

14-Apr-2013, 18:39

I like my Adapt-A-Roll 620s but this listing is insane: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Adapt-a-Roll-2-x3-Roll-Film-Holder-Adapter-15-/271185160568

The seller's other recent listings are equally surprising.

Jac@stafford.net

14-Apr-2013, 18:48

The seller's other recent listings are equally surprising.

It's gotta be a money laundering scheme.

Make him an offer of, say, $35 and we will listen for his head to explode.

FWIW, I found a used Softar filter for $999. And one for $12. I guess we could go on forever finding insane auctions.

Randy Moe

14-Apr-2013, 18:52

I just bought one of these, but this is crazy!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-TIME-O-LITE-CONTACT-PRINTER-MODEL-80-ANTIQUE-/151014349802?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2329281bea

This one is more like it.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-TIME-O-LITE-CONTACT-PRINTER-Read-Shipping-Details-/251259236705?pt=Film_Cameras&hash=item3a8037b161

I'll stick with mine.

Randy Moe

14-Apr-2013, 18:54

I like my Adapt-A-Roll 620s but this listing is insane: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Adapt-a-Roll-2-x3-Roll-Film-Holder-Adapter-15-/271185160568

The seller's other recent listings are equally surprising.

I saw that, I got one in the box for less than 1/2 that price. :)

genotypewriter

14-Apr-2013, 18:54

Calkovsky? First interchange I had with him he was selling a pair of those Rank Taylor Hobson photocopy lenses as "vintage brass stereo lenses by Cooke." I sent him a quick, polite note saying he was in error, and oh, the words in his reply!

He's a fraud... from my own personal and unpleasant experience.

Dan Fromm

21-Apr-2013, 06:19

My nominee for clown of the month, and a strong contender for clown of the year:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SUPER-SHARP-210m-FAST-WIDE-ANGLE-8-RANK-TAYLOR-HOBSON-LENS-ENGLAND-11x14-8x10-/221217016929 extracted from a Xerox machine

http://www.ebay.com/itm/GREAT-ANTIQUE-400mm-AIR-CRAFT-AERIAL-Lens-LARGE-FORMAT-MEDIUM-AIR-FORCE-LENS-/221217077762 a Telemar-17, there are several others on offer

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SHARP-CARL-ZESS-S-TESSAR-300m-F5-6-TELE-MACRO-LENS-Large-Format-810-1114-GERMANY-/221216348686 Unusable

http://www.ebay.com/itm/500mm-NASA-AIREAL-2-D-PHOTO-Telescope-CONVERTER-Lens-Low-Dispersion-GLASS-/221215285511 Eh? Wot?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SHARP-60mm-F2-8-GOLDEN-NAVITAR-Short-Throw-LENS-MEDIUM-WIDE-LEICA-2S-HASSELBLAD-/221215045525 It is for a 35 mm projector

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SUPER-FAST-4x5-5x7-LARGE-FORMAT-100mm-RODENSTOCK-F1-5-WIDE-ANGLE-LENS-MEDIUM-/221186393723 Eh? Wot?

Ian Greenhalgh

21-Apr-2013, 10:04

Nice find Dan, that guy is a loon for sure. 100 grand for that Telemar-17 is really extracting the urine. That last one is a relay lens from an x-ray machine I think, probably a Heliogon.

Ian Greenhalgh

21-Apr-2013, 10:15

271174274884 Only $1,000 for a Kodak folder.

Surely stuff like this must be money laundering or tax evasion or something else suspect.

I paid 40 bucks for a mint one of these, same lens, but an Ilex Universal instead of the Optimo, mine works perfectly, even the original case is close to mint.

Maybe I should just be happy I saved 959 bucks over his price?

Ian Greenhalgh

25-Apr-2013, 16:43

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dallmeyer-1-9-51-676466-shutter-/260957627876?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cc24965e4

799USD for a Dallmeyer oscilloscope lens in an old Prontor press shutter. Lens is worthless, shutter is useful.

md99

25-Apr-2013, 17:41

3 Photography Darkroom Devolping Wheels Carousels (http://www.ebay.com/itm/390583866083?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:VRI&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2661) I dunno about youz guys, but I develop ALL my films in a squirrel cage.
Cheers

Randy Moe

25-Apr-2013, 17:47

Might be good for me, old fumble fingers. I drop everything.

3 Photography Darkroom Devolping Wheels Carousels (http://www.ebay.com/itm/390583866083?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:VRI&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2661) I dunno about youz guys, but I develop ALL my films in a squirrel cage.
Cheers

Ian Greenhalgh

28-Apr-2013, 11:41

221219301280

Really funny, obviously he bought a G-Claron and an oscilloscope camera, took the shutter from the camera, mounted the G-Claron cells in it then put the left over Quinon cells in the G-Claron barrel to sell.

Actually, this isn't funny, it's outright deception, the Quinon is a useless paperweight like all oscilloscope lenses and the seller is disguising that it's an oscilloscope lens.

normanv

30-Apr-2013, 12:05

This seems a bit pricey

300894884775

Ian Greenhalgh

30-Apr-2013, 17:41

Just a bit, no-one is gonna pay 19k for that, they are common on ebay.de for less than 100eu.

Looking at the seller's other items and pricing, I'm sure they just made a simple typo in the listing, everything else has reasonable pricing.

Randy Moe

3-May-2013, 10:01

This is the 'good deal' stupidity some buyers use. This listing just sold. A very good deal. 2 people were bidding $100 to $150 until somebody smart just grabbed it for the reasonable 'buy it now' $225!

Fools abound. I almost bought. I have one...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/5x7-Burke-and-James-camera-with-lens-film-holders-and-rear-rail-Exc-/281102098531?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&nma=true&si=hi%252BZhB%252BHDZict7ShnJZWIXUctD4%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

Ian Greenhalgh

3-May-2013, 11:33

Damn, a nice clean 5x7 with a good lens and shutter for that price. Wish I saw those kind of deals in the Uk more often.

Randy Moe

3-May-2013, 11:35

I already regret not buying it. New bellows, CLA shutter, rear extension and great condition!

Damn, a nice clean 5x7 with a good lens and shutter for that price. Wish I saw those kind of deals in the Uk more often.

Randy Moe

12-May-2013, 11:03

If I was within 500 miles of this I would buy it in a moment.

I still might.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=281106272239&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:1123

Amedeus

12-May-2013, 12:02

If I had the room for it it would be gone already ...

If I was within 500 miles of this I would buy it in a moment.

I still might.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=281106272239&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:1123

Randy Moe

12-May-2013, 12:07

I have the room, but 2700 miles round trip is stopping me. My old van may or may not make the trip. I may sell the van so I have no way of buying any more big photography items, but then there are trailers...

If I had the room for it it would be gone already ...